For the first time since 1974, Penn State and Navy will face each other on a football field in the very near future, the school/service academy jointly announced Wednesday afternoon.
The Midshipman will travel to Happy Valley to face the Nittany Lions on Sept. 15, 2012; the last time the two institutions met, Navy upset then-No. 8 Penn State 7-6 in State College.
“We are excited to have Navy returning to the Penn State football schedule,” Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley said in a press release by the school. “Navy was our season opening opponent a number of times in the 1960’s and ’70’s and we’ve had many memorable games against the Midshipmen. Navy has a great football tradition and has returned to being one of the top programs in the nation during the past decade. We’re looking forward to having Navy playing again in Beaver Stadium.”
“Playing Penn State again will bring back many memories for our alumni and friends of Navy Football,” Naval Academy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said in the press release. “The opportunity to visit one of the most impressive stadiums in all of college football and take on the challenge of this storied program will be very inspiring to our coaches and student-athletes.”
Navy holds an 18-17-2 edge in the all-time series.
With a previously scheduled game against Temple already set for the weekend of the new Navy one-and-done, the school moved the contest with the Owls to the following weekend.